US welcomes India, Pakistan’s gestures

WASHINGTON: The State Department welcomed the visit of Indian parliamentarians to Pakistan saying it is pleased to see steps being taken to reduce tension.

Deputy spokesman Phillip Reeker, standing in for spokesman Richard Boucher, said in answer to a question about President Pervez Musharraf’s call for a ceasefire along the Line of Control.

Reeker said, “We support any efforts to reduce tensions between Pakistan and India. We are pleased to see further steps in the reduction of tension, like the conference that was taking place in Islamabad where Indian parliamentarians were attending, and we would certainly continue to urge both countries to increase their engagement with each other.

We very much support the building of productive relationships among South Asian countries.” —Khalid Hasan

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